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Government’s decision to deprioritise a bill on ticket touting is a “betrayal” for millions of fans, UK Music has declared.
The decision to introduce the Ticket Tout Ban Bill as draft legislation, rather than a key commitment, has confirmed fears voiced by the likes of FanFair Alliance ahead of the King’s Speech yesterday (13 May).
Draft legislation allows for public consultation and feedback from parliamentary committees before a bill begins its journey through the House of Commons and House of Lords.
The status means measures that would make it illegal to resell a ticket for theatre, comedy, concerts, gigs and more will face a longer road to entering the law books.
UK Music chief executive Tom Kiehl said: “The government’s failure to take long promised action on the shady ticket touts and rogue businesses who continue to rip off consumers is a betrayal of millions of music fans.
“Until we get action on sky-high ticket resales, we will continue to see cash siphoned overseas from the wallets of UK fans and the UK music industry in order to swell the already huge profits of ticket resale businesses.
“I urge MPs to explore the legislative programme and identify alternative opportunities to ensure primary legislation is passed in this year’s parliamentary session.”
Theatre backs European ties
Besides approaches to ticketing, the King’s Speech contained the European Partnership Bill, a contentious piece of legislation intended to redress some of the impacts of Brexit.
That bill features new powers to fast-track legislation in order that the government can deliver a series of new agreements planned with the EU. Despite attracting controversy in some camps, it was welcomed by Society of London Theatre and UK Theatre, for “reducing the red tape that holds back British companies and artists working in the EU”.
The bodies’ co-chief executives, Claire Walker and Hannah Essex, commented: “Easing these barriers would create new opportunities for UK businesses, support jobs, grow exports, and strengthen one of Britain’s most successful global industries.”
The pair were more positive on the draft ticketing legislation, calling it an “important opportunity to protect audiences” and “ensure fairer access to theatre and live performance”, while reminding the government they continue to await its response to a consultation on tourist tax.
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